Water Safety -
If you’re lucky, you and your dog will get to spend some time playing in the water, whether it is a pool, lake or the ocean. Check out our selection of Water Toys and our water-proof Rubber Collars that are perfect for the dog who never wants to get out of the water. Even dogs who are good swimmers can get into trouble in the water. Make sure your dog knows how to get out of the pool and never leave your dog unsupervised around water.
As an extra precaution, for dogs who are not great swimmers you can get them a Life Jacket. When you are getting out of the ocean be sure to rinse Fido from head to tail, the salt and sand can be irritation to their paws and ears. Always clean their ears after every swim, bath or rinse. We recommend our new all-natural Ear Cleanser. Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your dog when he is out in the sun; try our Flea the Scene insect spray and sunscreen.
Lawn Safety -
Before you go out and get your hands dirty working in your yard remember that the same products that will make your lawn lush and green can also cause serious health problems for your pets.
Contact with herbicides can cause vomiting, excess salivation, problems with the central nervous system, and even sudden death. Before any lawn treatment is applied to your yard remove all outdoor food and water bowls. Keep your pets inside while the chemicals are being applied and keep them off the grass for at least 24 hours after the application. If your dog does come into contact with the freshly treated lawn wash his paws off immediately with soap and water.
Most Slug and Snail bait is highly poisonous to pets so be sure to read the labels before you put any down in your yard. There are commercial bait traps or pellet holders that you can use to keep the bait out of reach of pets.
Ingestion of mouse and rat poison is another danger. The poisons usually come in cardboard containers filled with pellets. Some dogs will try to chew through the cardboard to get into the bait so place them in spots where it will be out of reach for your dog.
When you are done using your herbicides and pesticides be sure that the lids are securely tighten on the bottles. It is a good idea to place bags or boxes, new and used, inside of plastic storage containers and to make sure you properly dispose of empty containers to keep them away from your pets as wells as little kids.
The ingredient in chocolate, Theobromine that causes it to be toxic to dogs is found in more than just candy. Cocoa Mulch is made from cocoa bean shells and contains potentially toxic quantities of Theobromine. Pet owners should not use cocoa bean mulch in their yards, it smells like chocolate to the dogs and they may try to eat it.
Some dogs will try to catch or swat at bees. When a dog gets stung, it is usually around the mouth, nose or on a front paw. Some signs that your dog has been stung are scratching his head, rubbing his head on the ground, bumps or swelling around the head, face, mouth, tongue, or paws, excessive salivation, or finding the stinger. If you do find the stinger still in your dog, carefully remove it with a key or credit card by scraping and then apply a cold compress to the spot. Do not use tweezers as you will actually be forcing more of the poison from the singer into your dogs system. You can also apply a paste made from baking soda and water to help relieve the area. Just like humans some dogs can be allergic to stings, if your dog has a severe reaction, get him to a veterinarian immediately.
July 4th Safety -
Pets often become frightened and frantic by the noise and commotion of Independence Day. In fact, animal shelters across the country are accustomed to receiving “July 4th” dogs—dogs that run off during fireworks celebrations and are brought to the shelter. Fortunately, preventing pet problems on Independence Day is possible by simply planning ahead and taking some basic precautions.
Don’t leave your uoutdoors; bring them inside for their protection. If this is not possible, cover their crate with a blanket to offer them a little protection from the bright flashes and loud bangs.
Keep windows and curtains closed to help reduce the noise and bright flashes of the fireworks.
Some animals can become destructive when they are frightened, so be sure to remove any thing that your pet could destroy or that could harm your pet if chewed.
Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you’re attending Fourth of July celebrations.
Make sure your pets are wearing an ID Tag so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. If you see any dogs running around they should be taken to your local animal shelter so that they can be reunited with their owners.
Products mentioned in this article may be found at www.dogadillo.com or in our dog store located at the Hill Country Galleria in Austin, Texas.
Safety Advice – Summer Heat
The dog days of summer are approaching and you can tell by the sparkle in Fido’s eyes that he can’t wait to get outdoors to run, swim, hike, and enjoy all the other great outdoor activities. Before you grab Fido’s leash and head outdoors there are a few safety tips regarding the summer heat for you to think about while you two are having fun in the sun.
Heat Safety -
Dogs aren’t as efficient at cooling down as humans are, since they release most of their body heat through the pads of their feet and by panting. This makes them more susceptible to heatstroke. Some ways to avoid over heating is to:
Exercise in the early mornings or at dusk and not during the hottest part of the day. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws. If your dogs paws become rough and cracked due to the heat we have Paw Rub to help soothe and heal. We have a Spotlit L.E.D. light for Fido’s collar to keep you and your dog safe when you are out at night.
Dogs with medium and long hair should be well-groomed in the summer. Long or thick hair can become tangled and matted and will trap the heat. Regular use of the FURminator Deshedding Tool can remove tremendous amounts of undercoat fur and keep Fido light and cool.
Dogs can get sunburned just like us, especially dogs with thin or light coats and pink skin. If you are going to be spending time outdoors with your dog you should apply sunscreen to his nose and ears before you head out. Try Flea the Scene an insect spray with an all-natural sunscreen.
Be sure your dog always has access to fresh cool water. Remember that water will vaporize on extremely hot days so refill your dogs outside water bowl through-out the day. When you are on the go with Fido bring along one of the collapsible Travel Bowls or a H2O 4K9 Water Bottle. This water bottle has a lid that twist off and can be used as a bowl by Fido.
If your dog is going to be outdoors in the heat, keep him comfortable with a Cooling Bandana. This is a bandana that when wetted will help keep your dog cool by cooling the blood at the jugular veins as it circulates.
If your dog does become overheated you need to lower his body temperature immediately. Move your dog to a cool place, out of the sun and give him water. Immerse the dog in cool, not cold, water or very gently pour cool water on him and place his paws in cool water. Place ice packs on his head and neck and a fan in front of the dog. Once the dog has cooled down take him to your vet.
Some signs of heatstroke include excessive panting, bright-red tongue and gums, vomiting, wide eyes, thick saliva, diarrhea, lethargy, and body temperature of 104-110F degrees.
The products mentioned in this article can be found at www.dogadillo.com or in our dog store located at the Hill Country Galleria in Austin, Texas.
